UP elections: 64% voter turnout in phase-I could indicate a change of guard

NEW DELHI: In what signals a strong undercurrent of anti-incumbency against the ruling BSP government, the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh saw an impressive 64% turnout. In the 2007 assembly polls, when the Mulayam Singh government was voted out, the voting percentage was a mere 43%.

BSP has much at stake in the just-concluded round, as it held 30 of the 55 seats. A poor showing for the party here will reflect the overall rating for BSP and lead to a sharp depletion in its final tally. The Samajwadi Party has been making serious efforts to become the principal claimant for the anti-BSP votes.

Perhaps it is this possibility that prompted Congress president Sonia Gandhi to reiterate on Wednesday that her party had no plans for a post-poll deal with SP. There is a growing feeling in Congress that the perception of the party playing a junior partner to SP after the election was deflating its campaign.

In 2009 Lok Sabha polls, Congress did exceedingly well in the area, leading in 29 assembly segments. An above par performance in UP for Congress will be contingent upon retaining this support. But things could go awry if Muslims and Kurmis - two groups that helped the Congress in 2009 - turn to other political parties.

BJP is hoping that the large turnout could help it as upper castes have come out in good numbers to the polling booths. A significant section of the upper castes had backed Mayawati in 2007. There is expectation in BJP that the disaffection of the upper castes could swell its electoral kitty.

Polling in the first phase started on a dull note because of inclement weather in large parts, but picked up quickly around mid-day as the skies cleared.

There were no incidents of violence, chief electoral officer Umesh Sinha said in Lucknow.

Fate of two ministers, 31 MLAs and 15 former ministers were decided in this round, where a total of 796 men, 65 women and a eunuch contested. Long queues of voters were seen at polling booths in several areas late afternoon.

The polling percentage could hence be revised upwards. "The biggest problem was that of rain in the initial hours, but later the response from the electorate was good," Sinha said.